2012 NFL Draft – Texans Under-the-radar Prospect Watch

Continuing our look toward the 2012 NFL Draft, now inside a week in the countdown,BigRon back in to continue the discussion with another part of the picture. Our last entry was a look at some of the possible options for your Houston Texans’ 1st round selection at #26. By now many Fans are familiar with players likely tabbed for top 75 selections. To me one of the more interesting things about draft research is digging into the various mid to late-round prospects. It’s a prime area for teams to shape rosters around their marquee players and even unearth a few hidden gems that might join the headliners. One thing I definitely wanted to get to with our readers before the clock starts ticking Thursday evening is a look past the first few rounds. This entry is all about the lesser-known NFL hopefuls, from under-the-radar guys that have become some of our favorite prospects, to the small schoolers, to the 7th rounders or even priority free agents you might have in mind for the squad to take a chance on. Of course I have quite a few of my own lesser-known faves, and in kicking around ideas I posed the question on Twitter asking for ‘favorite under-the-radar prospects’. The focus was on players likely to be available on day 3 that arent getting the publicity of the round 1-3 types, and the response was a number of additional candidates that could also be intriguing additions to the 2010 Texans. I broke the names down by position and put it together for our readers to check out along with some commentary on each group…

Quarterback

B.J. Coleman – Tennessee – Chattanooga

Ryan Lindley – San Diego St.

Chandler Harnish – Northern Illinois

QB is a spot where I actually expect the Texans could add a player that fits their scheme and has some upside to develop. After last season I don’t think it’s unreasonable at all for them to keep three QBs, and with only Schaub and Yates currently on the roster, they’ll have to add one or two somehow for Camp. Why not look at guys with some potential. Coleman is one who has significant upside in his natural talents and would be a nice fit in Kubiak’s offense. Harnish is similar in how he’d fit the offense but is a clear step down in athletic ability and arm talent. Both played in the Shrine Game, and acquitted themselves fairly well. Harnish was also one of the ‘throwing QBs’ at the Combine… Like one Taylor Jonathan Yates was a year ago. Lindley is a guy I like personally, and was also brought up by my guy and friend of the FanBlog, ‘Eric K’. Paraphrasing what NFL Films’ Greg Cosell said about Lindley, the kid makes more ‘wow’ throws than most of the QBs in this class. He comes from a pro-style O in San Diego State and has most of the tools you want to see. The biggest issues are his inconsistent ball placement and unsteady footwork, but I’d be interested to see what a good QB coach could mold Lindley into.

Receiver

Marvin Jones – California

Greg Childs – Arkansas

Brian Quick – Appalachian St

DeVier Posey – Ohio St

Patrick Edwards – UH

Lavon Brazil – Ohio

Dale Moss – South Dakota St.

Gerrel Robinson – Arizona St

Derek Moye – Penn St.

Eric Page – Toledo

It’s a given that the Texans will be looking to add a WR out of this draft, and they could very likely select more than one. Fortunately, this is one of the deepest WR classes, top to bottom, that I can recall in my eight years studying the draft. As such, the list of guys I like that aren’t as highly touted as some others is also pretty healthy. The 1st two listed here aren’t really ‘under-the-radar’, as I’ve been stumping for Marvin Jones since the Senior Bowl. I think he’s the best combination of scheme fit, value, upside, and immediate impact potential in this class of receivers and have me eyes on him with the Texans’ 3rd rounder (#76). Jones also mentioned in a SiriusXM NFL Radio interview that the Texans were one of the teams showing interest in him. Greg Childs was a much more highly touted prospect before he suffered a serious knee injury in 2010. He didn’t get back into the Razorbacks’ lineup until the latter part of the 2011 season and was clearly not at the same level of play. Reports are Childs could be ready to fully rebound physically, and with his natural gifts, he could be a steal for the team that gambles on a return to top form for Childs. Brian Quick is a promising FCS prospect that many Texans Fans have their sights on with prototype size and athletic upside to get into the 2nd round. Posey was a bigger-name, top receiving prospect prior to being part of the tattoo scandal at Ohio State and his subsequent suspension for the beginning of 2011. The missed time, combined with a new QB (after having played with Terrell Pryor, who was never the best thrower) had Posey’s stock lukewarm at best after his final season. He’s since had a solid, but low key Senior Bowl performance, won a WR skills challenge during Super Bowl week, and had an excellent all around showing at the Combine. I like Posey’s size, hands and proficiency running routes to the point that I think the team that takes a shot on him is going to get a very consistent producer with WR2 upside. Houstonians should be very familiar with Patrick Edwards, as he was only the most prolific WR for one of the most potent offensive attacks in the country, my Houston Cougars. I won’t break down Pat’s exceptional resume here, as y’all should already know. I’ll just say I’m a rather huge fan and would be ecstatic if he ended up a Texan. Lavon Brazill and Eric Page are non-BCS school WRs that still stood out away from the spotlight for their polish and production. Brazill is one of the cleanest WR prospects in this class in the Steve Smith (USC/NYG/PHI) mold and my top late round sleeper. Page’s name came up in the twitter discussion as more the Wes Welker type, slot ankle-breaker guy that catches everything. Robinson, Moye, and Moss are all among the taller, bigger-bodied late round WR types. Robinson and Moye come with production from BCS schools but very little individual hype, with Moss being a late bloomer from an unheard-of program but with absolutely sick physical ability and upside as a converted high-flying hoopster with only one year of NCAA football experience (youtube Dale Moss and see what I mean). I probably could have listed twice as many names here, and I’m sure some of you have others. Just goes to show how many draftable WRs this class has to offer.

Running Back

Cyrus Gray – Texas A&M

Ronnie Hillman – San Diego St.

Tauren Poole – Tennessee

Daniel “Boom” Herron – Ohio St.

Bobby Rainey – Western Kentucky

Michael Hayes – UH

The Texans 1-2 punch of Arian Foster and Ben Tate became one of the more formidable RB tandems in the League last season. However, there is very little behind Foster and Tate. Derrick Ward, the 3rd RB last season, is an unrestricted free agent still seeking a contract. The only other RB on the roster is Javarris Williams, who was brought into Camp last summer, cut, and spent a good portion of the season on the Texans practice squad. I doubt the Texans are considering bringing Ward back, as the minimum salary for his years of service is likely too high for the role he would fill. This leads me to believe that the Texans could be looking to add another RB to their stable, whether via a later round selection or as a priority free agent. Cyrus Gray is a guy I’m sure many Texans Fans have seen a bunch of for the Texas Aggies. I put him here because I just haven’t heard much buzz, even though I could see him coming off the board as early as the 3rd round. I don’t think the Texans value a RB that early, but if they did, Cyrus would be an excellent fit. The remaining RBs listed are all guys I really like, but I would think will be available in the 5th round or later. Hillman was the main ball carrier for the last two years, breaking Marshall Faulk’s SDSU freshman rushing record with 1532 yards and backing that up with a WAC record 1711 yards this season, before declaring for the draft as a red-shirt sophomore. With low 4.4 speed and good receiving ability, Hillman is exactly what I have in mind as a 3rd RB for the Texans if it’s not Javarris. Tauren Poole is another 3rd-down type with good hands and a one-cut style that would fit nicely with the Texans as well. Bobby Rainey is a non-Combine guy who will go late or may be undrafted but will make an NFL roster. His size (5’7”-205) belies the fact that he is an absolutely tenacious runner between the tackles and has been relied upon for high volume totes of the mail. Rainey reminds me of Jacquizz Rodgers, the Lamar High standout now playing for the Falcons by way of Oregon State. Rainey, the two-time Sunbelt Conference OPOY, runs with relentlessness at that size and is surprisingly tough to get on the ground, just like Quizz. Mike Hayes is another one of my UH Coogs that I just had to include here. He didn’t get a Combine invite but reportedly showed well at the UH pro day, running mid 4.5s with 23 strength reps and good performances in drill work. Hayes worked out for the Texans over the weekend along with Pat Edwards, Case Keenum, and a few other players, so I know he’s on their radar whether as a late round pick or UDFA. Herron, who also faced suspension for the Ohio State violations, is a guy I see with the body and running style of a lead back albeit lacking the speed and explosiveness. I was a big fan of “Boom”‘s performance his junior season and included him here with thoughts of last year more than what he showed as a senior.

Tight End

Kevin Koger – Michigan

Brad Smelley – Alabama

Chase Ford – Miami

Drake Dunsmore – Northwestern

Evan Rodriguez – Temple

These are a few of the TEs that haven’t gotten much run in the pre-draft process, and any of them might be a decent fit to replenish the depth the Texans lost with Joel Dreessen departing for Denver. Koger, Smelley and Ford all come from football factories, but aren’t near the top of the TE class and weren’t at the Combine. Dunsmore and Rodriguez are from smaller scale FBS schools, but both were invited and performed well in pass receiving drills at the Combine. Koger and Ford are built similarly to Dreessen and project to be more effective in the blocking aspect while still being functional receivers. On the other hand, Smelley, Dunsmore and Rodriguez, all at around 6’2-240, are more the types to be flexed and used more exclusively as receiving threats. It will be interesting to see how the TE prospects are valued and prioritized by the Texans. They do still have Garrett Graham as the ‘next man up’, but I figure they’ll look to add one more versatile TE/H-Back type to the fold.

Offensive Line

OT Tom Compton – South Dakota

OT Brandon Mosley – Auburn

T/G Tony Bergstrom – Utah

OC David Molk – Michigan

OG Adam Gettis – Iowa

OG Derek Dennis – Temple

OG Joe Looney – Wake Forest

With the losses of Eric Winston and Mike Brisiel at RT and RG respectively, depth on the OL with an eye toward potential starters has to be addressed. Though there have been rumblings that the Texans could consider OL as early as the 1st round, I more expect to see them looking for value in the middle rounds. Tom Compton is my #1 ‘sleeper’ in this class on offense. He dominated at the FCS level but faces an even greater leap in competition as a pro than many FBS prospects will. The highly athletic tackle prospect was a Shrine Game participant, though he didn’t play much in the game for some reason. He did receive good reviews in practice reports and caught my eye in his Combine workouts, where he placed in the top 10 of almost every test except the bench. His attributes would make him a possibility in the 4th-5th round as another developmental ZBS tackle, and he’s another player in this entry that has had the Texans express some level of interest. Mosley and Bergstrom are both possible fits from BCS programs with fair amounts of athleticism in their own right, although Bergstrom may project better to guard. Molk is a target for many Texans Fans as an excellent ZBS center prospect with college awards to back it up. I’m not as big on Molk as some, as I think he’s limited to only playing center, but he’s certainly worth including here. Gettis is a guard prospect from a school known for producing pro linemen, and he absolutely blew up the Combine to possibly earn a spot in the late rounds with that athleticism zone teams love. Dennis and Looney were suggestions by my Twitter peeps who are both decent thoughts for fits at guard in the ZBS as well.

Defensive Line

DT Hebron Fangupo – BYU

DT Tydreke Powell – North Carolina

DT/DE DaJohn Harris – USC

DE Jaye Howard – Florida

DE Tyrone Crawford – Boise St.

DE Akiem Hicks – Regina (Canada)

Most of the DE and NT prospects I’m looking at for the Texans are in the middle rounds anyway, as I don’t believe they’ll covet either position before the 3rd round. As such, the players above are ones I believe could be of interest to the Texans more so than those in this list at other positions. Fangupo is a NT prospect from BYU with very good movement skills for a big man. Like many BYU guys, Fangupo undertook a religious mission prior to college so he’s older than the average prospect at 27 y/o before the season. I think he could be a very good value selection around the late 4th/early 5th area as a future replacement for Shaun Cody. Tydreke Powell is another guy with significant college production and a Senior Bowl appearance, but he doesn’t seem to have gotten much attention. I see Powell as a rotational NT, again similar to Shaun Cody, with nice anchor ability, very good awareness and enough tenacity for the position to be a solid late round depth addition. In the same vein as Powell, Harris is a player who I believe is more talented than the buzz he’s gotten. With significant experience in USC’s ‘multiple’ front, Harris offers potential to play every spot on the DL in Wade Phillips scheme. He’s a very active player with excellent hustle and effort who offers good size and use of his heavy hands along with flexibility along the line. Jaye Howard is right there with Compton as my biggest defensive sleeper in this class. A very athletic DT for Florida, I think Howard could be an excellent backup to Watt and Smith and has the talent to eventually start, possibly as the heir apparent to Antonio. At 6’3” 301, Howard has excellent size for a 3-4 DE and matches that size with excellent athleticism, quickness (4.82 40yd/4.47 short shuttle), and some natural movement ability to shed blocks and get penetration. Crawford is a similar player to Howard, but he’s longer and about 25 lbs. lighter, which is why I’d favor Howard even though Crawford would be a good get as well. Akiem Hicks is an intriguing player who started his career at LSU, but due to a recruiting violation by the coach that signed him out of juco, Hicks will make his way into the League via University of Regina (Canada). He flashed his talents for NFL scouts at the Shrine Game, and though he’s a raw prospect Hicks offers ample size for the DE position (6’4” and change/318lbs) and is another player with the flexibility to play up and down the line in the Texans’ scheme.

Linebacker

Sammy Brown – UH

Frank Alexander – Oklahoma

Adrian Hamilton – Prarie View A&M

Josh Kaddu – Oregon

Miles Burris – San Diego St.

Chris Galippo – USC

In the 3-4, LBs will always be in demand, and even if the Texans take one early they might still be interested in more depth for the group later in the draft. The first four above are all rush OLB prospects. Sammy Brown, the third UH Cougar in our list, is loaded with potential and led the NCAA in tackles for a loss in 2011. His pro day numbers were outstanding and he should be on teams’ radar on day three. Adrian Hamilton is another somewhat local prospect out of PVAMU who put up serious numbers in 2011 with 24.5 TFLs and a staggering 22 sacks in the SWAC. He’s been linked to the Texans and could be another late round or UDFA target that could come in and fight for a roster spot. Alexander and Kaddu are both OLB prospects from BCS schools who have battled injuries in the lead up to the draft but have gained a bit of buzz in the late going. Burris is an interesting player that has the flexibility to project to a rotation spot both outside and inside. His career at SDSU was very productive, and he led the team in tackles (72), tackles for loss (19.0), sacks (8.0) and fumble recoveries (3) in 2011, his second season as a 1st-team all MWC selection. Galippo was highly recruited as a prep LB, but his career at USC wasn’t nearly as distinguished as some anticipated. However, I like his experience in the middle of that defense and the level of competition and training he’s accustomed to coming from Southern Cal. He’s not the athlete of some of his predecessors and not nearly as highly regarded as a pro prospect, but Galippo is a guy that could be a good value addition to the group as a reserve ILB and special teams guy should he be available late in the draft.

Defensive Back

CB Ron Brooks – LSU

CB Justin Bethel – Presbyterian

CB Asa Jackson – Cal Poly

DB DeQuan Menzie – Alabama

CB Coty Sensabaugh – Clemson

CB Jeremy Lane – Northwestern St. (LA)

S Kelcie McCray – Arkansas St.

Though the Texans secondary improved greatly with the free agent additions they made last season, they’ll certainly be looking to add more quality prospects to the back end to maintain that level of performance. With the investments they’ve already made at DB, I don’t think it will be a very high priority, but there are plenty of indications that the Texans have been sniffing around cover men. Various reports have connected the Texans to Brooks, Lane, and McCray whether with visits or at workouts. The Texans were one of a small number of teams represented at the Northwestern St. pro day, supposedly with interest in Lane. They’ve also had Brooks, one of the fastest CBs in the draft (4.37 40yd), and McCray, a safety with outstanding physical traits (6’2”/202/4.54 40yd), in for pre-draft visits. Jackson and Menzie are two CBs who played at the Senior Bowl and showed fairly well, Menzie of course coming off a BCS Championship with Alabama. Neither will be highly coveted, but both could be solid contributors. Coty Sensabaugh, cousin of Gerald, is another player that had a solid Combine workout and fits the size/speed profile the Texans like in their CBs (5’11”/4.42 40yd), but he also has some significant production for a highly ranked Clemson squad and shows very good movement ability and feel in coverage to go along with the athletic numbers. Last, but not least, Justin Bethel is a small school guy that I read good reports about during Shrine week and really impressed me in drills at the Combine. I also saw a number of draftniks I follow and respect make similar remarks about Bethel and earmarked him as another small school CB to watch.

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There are many more unheralded, mid-late round prospects that would be great additions, and I figure if even one or two of the guys listed here end up as Texans it’d just be ‘lucky guesses’. Still, a number of prospects we’ve identified also appear in our local draft guru, Lance Zierlein’s lists of potential Texans for both offense and defense, so I figure it’s a decent look. I appreciate anyone who took the time to check out the entry, and I definitely want to send a shout to all my Texans buds on twitter that responded to my question (Eric, Cleave, DC, Pat, Ben, Amir, Rivers, Matt R…if any of you check this out and want me to link your feed, hit me up!). I also encourage our readers to drop in your own favorite under-the-radar prospects in the comments below and/or give us some feedback on the list above. Draft Weekend is almost here, so as we come down the stretch, let us know what you’re thinkin’!